05/05/24 06:39:00
Printable Page
05/05 06:38 CDT Champions League: Bayern and Dortmund could stop Mbappe's
showdown with Real Madrid
Champions League: Bayern and Dortmund could stop Mbappe's showdown with Real
Madrid
By JAMES ROBSON
AP Soccer Writer
Real Madrid needs fortress Bernabeu to live up to its reputation.
Paris Saint-Germain could do with some magic from the departing Kylian Mbapp.
Otherwise we could be set for a repeat of the 2013 Champions League final
between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, who both showed in the first legs
of the semifinals that they could yet block a Madrid vs. Mbapp showdown at
Wembley Stadium.
That has felt like an ideal finale with Mbapp widely expected to move to the
Spanish giant when he leaves PSG as a free agent at the end of the season.
But based on the first legs, Bayern and Dortmund haven't read that script.
Bayern dominated Madrid for long periods at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday before
Vinicius Junior's late penalty secured a 2-2 draw for the record 14-time
European Cup winner.
A day later, Germany striker Niclas Fllkrug struck the only goal of the game
at the Westfalenstadion to give Dortmund a 1-0 advantage over PSG.
With such fine margins, there is all to play for in the second legs when Madrid
and PSG will both have home advantage.
Madrid is unbeaten at home all season and targeting a record-extending 18th
European Cup final - and a ninth in the Champions League era, which is also a
record.
While six-time winner Bayern showed its credentials in the first leg, it has
endured a troubled season in which its 11-year reign as German champion was
ended by Bayer Leverkusen.
PSG's dominance in France shows no sign of stopping after winning a
record-extending 12th league title. But it has not been able to transfer that
form to the Champions League despite signing some of the world's greatest
players --- including Lionel Messi, Neymar and Mbapp.
Messi and Neymar have departed and Mbapp is set to leave. Which is why it
would be the perfect send-off for the forward to finally end the Qatar-backed
club's search for European club soccer's elite trophy.
Defeat at Dortmund has cast doubt over that, but PSG already produced a
comeback to beat Barcelona in the second leg of the quarterfinals and Mbapp
will be desperate to avoid an anticlimactic end to the season.
PSG vs. DORTMUND (TUESDAY)
PSG coach Luis Enrique has to rethink his plans in defense with Lucas Hernandez
facing a long spell out after rupturing his left knee ACL in the first leg. He
successfully underwent an operation on Saturday.
Hernandez was in good form and had also formed a solid central defensive
partnership with Marquinhos, helping the Brazilian recapture his best form
recently.
Enrique must decide who to select between Lucas Beraldo, utility player Danilo
or Milan Skriniar.
The 20-year-old is Beraldo is inexperienced at the highest level, Danilo is
reliable and good in the air but lacks pace and mobility, while Skriniar has
only recently returned from a three-month injury layoff following ankle surgery.
Skriniar has played only one full game since then and Enrique may not risk him
against a physical striker like Fllkrug, who poses a threat with his strong
running and direct style of play.
Losing a player of Hernandez's quaity is a headache Enrique really didn't need,
especially with his side having to score and more likely exposed to
counter-attacks.
Enrique will also look for an improved performance from Kylian Mbapp, who
failed to impress last week.
Dortmund counterpart Edin Terzic was able to rest his entire team with the
exception of goalkeeper Gregor Kobel as his B-side ran out 5-1 winners over
Augsburg on Saturday.
MADRID vs. BAYERN (WEDNESDAY)
Madrid will face Bayern as the newly crowned Spanish league champions after
clinching the title on Saturday. With the domestic title all but assured, Carlo
Ancelotti rotated his lineup. Defender Nacho Fernndez was the only player to
start both at Bayern and in its 3-0 win over Cadiz on Saturday.
The club is delaying the traditional celebration of its 36th league title with
players and fans in downtown Madrid until Saturday to keep its focus on the
Bayern game.
Madrid arrives to the second leg without any critical injuries and with all its
scorers clicking. Jude Bellingham scored his 22nd goal overall in the win over
Cadiz, while backups Brahim Daz and Joselu Mato also found the net. Thibaut
Courtois is expected to be in the squad, while Ancelotti has said that Andriy
Lunin will again be in goal.
Bayern's preparations were far from ideal with a 3-1 loss at Stuttgart and
injury to Raphal Guerreiro, who had made a good impact after coming on at half
time in the first leg against Madrid. Bayern confirmed Sunday he will miss
Wednesday's match.
Bayern defender Matthijs de Ligt missed the first leg with injury but rejoined
team training on Sunday.
___
AP Sports Writers Jerome Pugmire in Paris, Joseph Wilson in Barcelona and
Ciarn Fahey in Berlin contributed.
___
James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
|